Ebola 2014 Revisited

What Has Changed?

In Ebola 2014, we looked at data from the CDC regarding Ebola cases and deaths. The data was plotted in an Excel spreadsheet and on a TI-83+ graphing calculator to determine the curve of best fit. At that time the function that described the data was an exponential growth model.

Over time, more clinics were mobilized, better burial practices were enforced and the graphs of the number of cases and deaths have changed.

Right click on the B column to insert a new column. Add the column heading and in cell B2 add the formula =A2-$A$2. Change the format to General. Fill the formula down.

Add a column heading in cell I1 for Total Cases and one in cell J1 for Total Deaths. In cell I2 type =C2+E2+G2 to add the total cases for all countries and press Enter. Do the same for cell J2 with the formula =D2+F2+H2. Fill the formulas down.

Highlight cells B1 down to B77, then press the Ctrl key and highlight I1 to I77 to select discontiguous columns. Go to the Insert menu and choose Scatter and choose the first scatter chart listed.

Repeat the process using cells B1 to B77 with J1 to J77 to plot the total deaths.

Obtaining a Curve of Best Fit

Because Excel can not calculate a logistics curve of best fit, if you want to generate an equation that fits the curve, you will need to enter the data into a TI graphing calculator.

Start by pressing Stat > Edit and pressing Enter to add the days since the outbreak began to the L1 column and Total Cases to the L2 column.